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But as he stared at his now eht, Fuck, more than a little worried
He knew that if Jessica didn’t co to be able to sit on it The doc was sole
Jessica
It was difficult to concentrate on anything but the attraction I’d felt to Cooper Lawson I’d paused a ood idea to tell hiht what the hell I was here on vacation and there was no rule that said I couldn’t flirt with a rugged bar ohile I was here
Still, it was the kind of intense attraction that threwinto Emery’s was a nice distraction
To e counter and, behind it, coffee ht was the bookstore Ahead and up a few steps was a seating area filled with cute little white tables and chairs To the left of the table and chairs were comfortable armchairs and sofas situated near a lit open fireplace that crackled and snapped invitingly
The place was empty, presumably because of the weather, but I couldn’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to hang out here
A door behind the counter opened and a woht I heard the bell over the door”
I smiled back and walked over to her “It’s miserable out there”
Her startling pale blue eyes took in et warm by the fire?” She asked it tentatively, alht it was forward of her to offer me a kindness
She was tall and ith beautiful eyes and a heart-shaped face She wore her long white-blond hair in an intricate plait that rested over her right shoulder Wisps of hair framed her lovely face
I glanced around at the bookstore with its white-painted bookshelves and hodgepodge of co A few Tiffany la warmth and color All the ork in the store was painted white and it contrasted beautifully with the rich teal blue of the walls
The place seeer on why I turned back to her I’d had every intention of buying a book and heading back to the inn, but I suddenly liked the idea of getting warm here “Yes, I think I will Are you the owner?”
She nodded
I held out ton”
She glanced at my hand a little unsurely and I was relieved when she lifted a long-fingered hand covered in silver rings and placed it in ether as we shook “Emery Saunders”
“It’s nice to meet you”
“You, too” She dropped aze “Would you like a hot drink?”
I frowned, wondering how so with the public all the ti to peruse the books”
She nodded and turned away, busying herself withmy coffee
I realized I was curious about her—and also wondered why this place hadand everyone
Especially a certain bar owner
A few minutes later I put doo books on the counter and pulled out my wallet to pay for them and the coffee
“That’s a good one,” E the book on top
It was a cri about crime novels
“You read thrillers?” She didn’t seeic and fairy-tale princes type
“I read everything,” she replied softly and put ister
I paid and grabbedtoward the fireplace
“Happy reading,” she said, just loud enough for me to hear
I grinned back at her in thanks and got ht by the fire
Heat suffusedwithoutit until much later
Over the next couple of hours I was vaguely aware of a few people co in and out of the store, but I was left to enjoy the fire alone When a shadow fell onover me
She wore a pair of dark-wash skinny jeans and a white shirt with sleeves that were fitted fro bells, like the style of a medieval maiden’s dress Short biker boots completed the look
“Would you like so to eat?” she offered “I have sandwiches”
It was only then I felt the growl of my empty stomach “Sure, thank you”
“Another latte?”
“That, too” I grinned at her
Not too long later she ca table beside me
“What else do you like to read?” I said, before she could escape me
Emery see”
“Okay Who is your favorite author?”
She wrinkled her nose and I saw a gli which I prefer: oxygen or food”
I laughed “Well, tell me one of your favorite authors”
Her lids lowered over her eyes, and I saw that her lashes, darkened with
For some reason I was charmed by this shy bookstore owner
I was finding myself charmed by many people in Hartwell so far
“J D Salinger,” she offered suddenly s he stared at his now eht, Fuck, more than a little worried